Adjustable hanger for stirrup leathers for riding saddles



March 27, 1956 R. c. BELL 2,739,434

ADJUSTABLE HANGER FOR STIRRUP LEATHERS FOR RIDING SADDLES Filed May 20, 1955 I N VEN TOR.

Z 6. BeZZ ADJUSTABLE HANGER FOR STIRRUP LEATHERS FOR RIDING SADDLES Roy C. Bell, Paonia, Colo. Application May 20, 1955, Serial No. 509,763

4 Claims. (Cl. 54-46) This invention relates to riding accessories or equipment, and more particularly to an adjustable hanger for stirrups of riding saddles.

The object of the invention is to provide an adjustable hanger which will permit a person to ride a horse with increased safety, comfort, and ease.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of mounting or connecting a stirrup to a saddle whereby the position of the stirrup can be readily adjusted without the necessity of the rider dismounting from the horse and wherein the stirrup will not accidentally move from its adjusted position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stirrup mounting for a saddle which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating one of the mountings for a stirrup.

Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating the body member and support member.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the support member.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, but showing the body member adjusted on the support member as when the position of the support member and stirrup are to be adjusted or shifted.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral designates a ring which is adapted to be made of any suitable material such as metal, and arranged in engagement with the ring 10 is a plurality of leather straps 11, 12 and 14, Figure 1. The strap 11 can extend to a suitable part of the saddle equipment such as the cincher, while the straps 12 and 14 may constitute the saddle rear rig and front rig respectively.

The numeral 15 designates a body member which can be made of any suitable material such as metal, and the body member 15 includes a main cylindrical first portion 16 which has one end shaped to define a curved finger 17 that engages a portion of the ring 10. Extending upwardly and angularly from the other end of the first portion 16 is a second portion 18 which terminates in a right angularly arranged third portion 19, and the third portion 19 terminates in a downwardly extending fourth portion 20, the portions 18 and 20 being arranged in spaced parallel relation with respect to each other. Arranged in engagement with the third portion 19 of the body member 15 is a strap or strap member 21 which is adapted to be secured to a portion of the saddle such as the saddle tree.

The stirrup mounting of the present invention further includes a support member which is indicated generally by the numeral 22, Figure 2. The support member 22 includes a curved flange 23 which embraces the main portion 16 of the body member 15, and the free edge of the nited States Patent flange 23 is spaced from a wall 28 of the support member whereby the support member 22 can be shifted along the portion 16 as later described in this application.

Extending outwardly from one side of the main portion 16 of the body member 15 is a pair of spaced parallel lugs 25 and 26 which may be of rectangular formation, and the flange 23 is provided with a cutout or recess 27 which is adapted to engage or at times receiving the lug 26.

The support member 22 further includes spaced parallel wall members 28 and 29, Figure 5, and end pieces 30, the members 28, 29 and 30 cooperating to define therebetween an open ended slot or chamber 31. A strap 32 extends through the slot 31, and the strap 32 is trained over the flange 23 and is connected to the stirrup.

From the foregoing it is apparent that there has been provided a mounting for a stirrup of a saddle whereby the stirrup can be readily adjusted when desired without the necessity of the rider of the horse dismounting from the horse. in use the straps 11, 12 and 14 can be connected to the various parts of the saddle and the strap 21 which is also connected to the saddle is arranged in engagement with the portion 19 of the body member 15. The portions 18 and 20 coact with the portion 19 to prevent accidental disengagement of the body member from the strap 21. The strap 32 is connected to the stirrup and it is to be understood of course that there are two of the mountings of the present invention one for each stirrup on each side of the saddle. With the parts in the position shown in Figure l, the notch 27 in the flange 23 receives the lug 26 so that sliding movement of the support member 22 along the body member 15 is prevented. However, when it is desired to shift the support member and strap 32 downwardly on the body member 15, it is only necessary to rotate the support member 22 and strap 32 from the position shown in Figure 4 to the position shown in Figure 5 so that the flange 23 clears the lug 26. Then, the support member 22 can be shifted downwardly along the portion 16 of the body member 15 until the lug 25 engages an edge of the support member 22 whereby the support member 22 can then be returned to its original vertical position and the support member 22 will be held immobile in its adjusted position. The adjustable stirrup mounting of the present invention is especially suitable as when a person is riding a horse up hill or down hill since the stirrup is preferably adjusted during such movements to insure maximum comfort and safety to the rider.

The stirrup mounting of the present invention can be made of a minimum number of parts and is ruggedly constructed. It is to be understood of course that certain minor changes can be made in the construction in accordance with the requirements of a manufacturer and the parts can be made in any desired shape and size and of any suitable material. To adjust the support member 22 and consequently the stirrup, it is only necessary to move the support member 22 approximately degrees from its normal position. Any suitable means can be used for securing the hanger to the saddle. The body member 15 can be made of steel and the various straps can be made of leather. When the position of the stirrups is to be adjusted, it is only necessary for the rider to raise the stirrup up at a right angle from the horse and then slide it forward or backward to the desired position and then let the stirrup down and it is automatically locked in place.

Due to the provision of the pair of lugs 25 and 26, the stirrup can be held or maintained immobile in any one of three positions. Thus, the stirrup or strap 32 can be positioned as shown in Figure 1 so that the lug 26 projects into the notch 27 whereby accidental movement of the strap 32 is prevented. Or, the parts can be shifted downward so that the upper edges of the support member 22 are positioned between the pair of lugs 25 and 26 whereby the strap 32 and support member 22 will be maintained immobile in their downward position. The parts can also be held stationary in an upward position by positioning or arranging the outer edges of the support member 22 between the lug 26 and the section 18 of the body member 15. As previously explained, the support member 22 and strap 32 can be readily shifted to and from the various positions by rotating the support member and strap so that the lug can pass through the clearance 24. Guide portions 33 are provided on the support member 22 so that when the stirrup is raised to adjust the stirrup, these guide portions 33 will engage the latch pin and permit the parts to slide readily to their proper position.

I claim:

1. In combination, a ring, a plurality of straps extending from said ring, a body member, interengaging means on said body member and ring, said body member further including a first cylindrical main portion, a second portion arranged angularly with respect to said first portion and extending upwardly therefrom, a third portion extending transversely from said second portion, and a fourth portion extending from said third portion and arranged in spaced parallel relation with respect to said second portion, a strap arranged in engagement with said third portion and adapted to be connected to a saddle, a pair of spaced apart lugs extending outwardly from the first portion of said body member, a support member movably mounted on said body member and including a curved flange embracing said first portion, there being a cutout in said flange for receiving one of the lugs extending outwardly from said body member, said support member further including spaced parallel wall members and spaced parallel end sections defining therebetween a slot, and a strap extending through said slot and over said flange and adapted to be connected to a stirrup.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said interengaging means comprises a curved finger.

3. The structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said ring, body member and support member are made of rigid material, and said straps are made of flexible material.

4. The structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the free edge of said flange is spaced from one of the wall members of said support member to provide clearance for the passage therethrough of said lugs.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,653,369 Rodriguez Sept. 29, 1953 2,655,778 Elle Oct. 20, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 15,866 Great Britain of 1902 

